Category Archives: Pregnancy

Have you noticed a change in your lower lady bits? Do you leak when you exercise? Are you having trouble going number two? Maybe intercourse with your partner isn’t as comfortable as it once was, or maybe it’s now become painful? Are you feeling lower back or hip pain?

If you answered “Yes!” to any or all of these questions, then it’s time for you to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist! They will assess the status of your pelvic floor, by using real-time ultrasound as well as an internal examination.

I recently went in for a pelvic floor examination because I was experiencing several of the afore mentioned symptoms and I needed to figure out what was going on. During the ultrasound part of my exam, my pelvic floor physiotherapist showed me that my pelvic floor was not functioning as it should. I had the proper “squeeze”, however the “lift” was practically non-existent. She then performed an internal exam and discovered that I had a lot of scarring due to being pregnant and child birth. She was able to manually separate the adhesions from the walls of my cervix and vagina and I immediately felt a change and better movement when she was finished.

Photo credit: clearpassage.com

I am three and a half years post partum…it’s never too late to have a pelvic floor exam! My therapist told me of a client of hers that was in her seventies, went in and after her initial appointment, had immediate results affecting her urinary and digestive functions!

How AMAZING is that?!

I wasn’t aware about pelvic floor wellness until a few years ago. Chances are, you aren’t either.

After having my consultation, I DO NOT understand why all women, post childbirth, are not recommended to have a pelvic floor assessment! You go in for your post partum exam where they check that your bleeding has subsided, your tummy muscles are headed back in the right direction and any cuts and tears are healing properly, so why on Earth would you not be sent in to check on the status of your pelvic floor?

Having a proper functioning pelvic floor will prevent future core dysfunction. Proactive is a better route than reactive.

Were you also aware that you can ensure pelvic floor wellness during pregnancy and childbirth? Another topic that doctors don’t bring up at your regularly scheduled appointments throughout your pregnancy.

Prepare To Push™ written by Kim Vopni (aka The Fitness Doula), is a fantastic read that all pregnant women should get their hands on! This book highlights the need to prepare your body for childbirth and recover with core restoration.

Ladies, it’s so important to take care of your bits and pieces! Don’t be afraid to see a pelvic floor physiotherapist if you are experiencing any of the symptoms that I mentioned at the beginning of this post. And if you know someone who is planning on getting or is currently pregnant …pick them up a copy of Prepare To Push™.

Help spread the word about pelvic floor wellness and encourage women to talk openly about their concerns. Let’s change the way we think our bodies are supposed to be after pregnancy and childbirth. We’ve come a long way since our mothers and grandmothers gave birth!